California Beaches

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Very cool trip! I especially applaud the Death Valley jaunt... I am a big fan, try to go there once a year at least. Stovepipe Wells is decent, don't expect five stars, but it's Death Valley! Simply amazing that in that really remote place, you can relax in an air conditioned room, swim, or eat at a restaurant! Can't watch TV or talk on your non- satellite cell phone, though...

If you decide to hit Venice Beach: Be advised! The beach itself is fine, but, depending on your personal feelings regarding that famous hippie herb, you may or may not enjoy it. In CA, marijuana is semi- pseudo- sorta legal... they sell it on the Venice boardwalk... if you have a "prescription/ MMJ card." As you walk along the shops, there will be: A dispensary (that's what the marijuana stores are called), a doctor's office (where, for $40, ANYBODY can get a "prescription"), a burger joint (in case anybody gets the munchies, for whatever reason), a dispensary, a head shop, a doctor's office, a dispensary, a surf shop, a doctor's office, a dispensary, a taco stand, a dispensary, a doctor's office, a dispensary... you get the idea. There are also an abundance of street hawkers, who WILL beg you, your wife, and your kid (really... been there with my kids) to come in, get a doctor to issue your MMJ card, and start buying now!

If you go in the evening, especially, you'll see a lot of people enjoying the pleasures to be found there, many passed out, dancing to unheard music, or just sleeping... anywhere.

Not saying not to go... just gotta let you know what to expect.

Again, the salt water and the sand are the same as elsewhere... easy to get to.

I highly recommend the Santa Monica Pier. Good beaches on either side of the pier, swimming, sunbathing, whatever... and the pier itself has restaurants, amusement park rides, street performers/ artists... and you have a great chance of seeing tv shows or movies being filmed... it's used constantly for shoots.

You will enjoy yourself immensely!

I tried to get Furnace Creek but the website was messed up. As far as pot, that don't bother me at all. I'd probably have a card if I lived in Cali or Colorado to help ease some of this phantom pain I get in the amputated limb!!

But I'll be with my 14 yr old son: this kid won't do anything wrong; A student & going for his 2nd degree black belt.

I'm sure we'll still check it out-maybe just not too late at night due to the drive back to the room.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by EWMAN

Hate to put a wet blanket over your vacation plans, but..........
No way you are going to be able to keep to that itinerary and see anything other than the road in front of the car.. even then you will be lucky. I have been to almost every one of the things you have on your schedule. No Way At All.

I would bet you have everything listed according to MapQuest or some other Mapping service. ? they do NOT take into consideration ........traffic, or other people.

day 9. IF you get to the Helicopter flight on time, you will have approximately 2 1/2 hours invested in the wait to load. flight and unload, get back to the car, and get back to the highway, THEN 7 1/4 hours, (which will be in reality around 8 1/4 which will be will put it around Midnight before you get to Stovepipe village. IF you are lucky you can park in the upper parking lot, if not then you have about a 800 ft walk mostly through a tunnel into the lower floors of the Motel. which will be closed at that time.
reality is NOT your friend in this endeavor

No problem at all- I appreciate the heads up. All the driving times listed are from mapquest with the actual route I plan to take. It is strictly driving time. Our Helicopter flight is supposed to board at 10:30 ish and depart at 11am. Its supposed to be a 50 minute or so flight. I fugure we'd be done by 1pm and get on the road. I do plan to exceed the speed limit a little bit, but didn't figure I would run into too much traffic on this part of the trip.

But much appreciate the heads up- thats why I ended up putting my current itinerary- to get some comments/advice.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by 90503

I'd have to agree that the travel times are pretty optimistic!...lol...Especially days 11-14...Personally, I would add at least 40-50% more for driving...

Frisco to San Simeon...You're gonna want to make a lot of stops, its beautiful scenery..

San Simeon to Beverly Hills on a Friday, probably the worst of them all...

Saturday, Beverly Hills to airport...1:51 departure,...I'd leave the hotel by 9:00 am...

You'll get a good sense of things if yoiu're using Indio as a base, and come into LA at all during that time...

Your arrival date at LAX, then drive to Indio will be an eye-opener. You'll do fine, just figure on all your driving times taking a lot longer.

This is exactly what I need to hear- thanks. Day 11, 13 & 14 are really just cruising and stopping tours. Thats why I didn't plan on doing anything but cruising, looking, stopping for cold ones here and there, etc. Like you indicated- I was planning on these trips taking 4 hours or so longer for stops.

Dam, leave by 9am for the airport, huh? That could have caught me slightly off guard since its only 12 miles to LAX from the hotel. Advice taken- especially since I'll probably need wheelchair assistance in a big airport.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by GunnyG

I had the same thoughts. But, didn't wanna ruin the trip before it even began. The date of departure, like 90503 said, you'll need to check out probably at day break. LAX on Sat is not good. Even if you don't stick to the strict schedule, have some fun...it's a vacation!!!

Should be a blast. Its a trip planned with my son since he's 14 now, an "A" student and getting his 2nd degree black belt. Hoping he could get admitted to the Naval Academy- he's that good of a kid (Unlike his "Slightly Wilder" father!!).

Gunner's Mate?? Worked real close with FTG's (& FTM's).

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

Should be a blast. Its a trip planned with my son since he's 14 now, an "A" student and getting his 2nd degree black belt. Hoping he could get admitted to the Naval Academy- he's that good of a kid (Unlike his "Slightly Wilder" father!!).

Gunner's Mate?? Worked real close with FTG's (& FTM's).

That's awesome, he'll remember this trip for the rest of his life. It's gonna be HOT HOT HOT going through Death Valley. Good luck! Gunnery Sergeant/USMC - I work at the Space and Naval Warfare Center, so I'm pretty close with a bunch of sailors. Actually, it's only seven of us Marines at this site.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by GunnyG

That's awesome, he'll remember this trip for the rest of his life. It's gonna be HOT HOT HOT going through Death Valley. Good luck! Gunnery Sergeant/USMC - I work at the Space and Naval Warfare Center, so I'm pretty close with a bunch of sailors. Actually, it's only seven of us Marines at this site.

I think I read where the average temp in Death Valley for June is 109 deg f.

My only fear is driving a non-Chevy vehicle (Chrysler 300 or similar). I'll refuse a Ford-type similar option; no way I put my life at risk driving through Death Valley in a Ford- plus, someone I know might see me in it!!!

If you can tell, I am NOT a Ford fan.

Do you have any advice on any specific roads to avoid at certain times in California that are horrendous with traffic? I'd much rather leave Palm Springs a little later in the morning anyway; to avoid traffic and sleep in. I've been known to have a few beers and Long Island Ice Teas!!

[bajamoon]

IMO Ford is better the Chrysler. I really really hate Chrysler. The new v8's are absolute shit. As for roads it depends on where you'll be. After 10am should be fine and before 3 or after the rush hour. Stay away from the 405 freeway. When you are hear we have a am station knx 1070 gives traffic every 5 minutes I think.

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

...Do you have any advice on any specific roads to avoid at certain times in California that are horrendous with traffic?

Palm Springs area never really has any traffic issues... it's not hugely populated, mostly retirees out there with no 9 to 5 related traffic patterns.

However, 50 east of there, Redlands/ San Bernardino... and EVERYTHING west of there, traffic issues are the norm. From 5AM until around 10AM, and from 3PM until 7PM, you will want to avoid any roads that start with: "Interstate," "Highway," "Route," or "The!" Sometimes---SOMETIMES--- you'll sail through, but if you have more than 20 miles to go at any of the heavy traffic times, you are positively guaranteed to be stuck sitting in traffic, usually thanks to the one yahoo (out of thousands, to be optimistic!) who's driving is so bad that he piles his car up and puts a clog in the artery.

[90503]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Palm Springs area never really has any traffic issues... it's not hugely populated, mostly retirees out there with no 9 to 5 related traffic patterns.

However, 50 east of there, Redlands/ San Bernardino... and EVERYTHING west of there, traffic issues are the norm. From 5AM until around 10AM, and from 3PM until 7PM, you will want to avoid any roads that start with: "Interstate," "Highway," "Route," or "The!" Sometimes---SOMETIMES--- you'll sail through, but if you have more than 20 miles to go at any of the heavy traffic times, you are positively guaranteed to be stuck sitting in traffic, usually thanks to the one yahoo (out of thousands, to be optimistic!) who's driving is so bad that he piles his car up and puts a clog in the artery.

Yeah, maybe we can throw in a car-chase or barricaded suspect for him that will shut down the roads, also!...lol

"Rush Hour" should probably be called "Rush 2-2 1/2 Hours"....I'd say if you plan your drives in where you'd hit west of San Berdo after 9 am, you should be ok...going back, either head back before 3pm, or wait til @7 pm
if you really want to avoid heavy traffic.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by Hoddi

Since you'll be in San Simeon, you'll be near a cool little town called Cambria.
It's about a 30 min drive.
Make sure you eat at Robin's.
http://www.robinsrestaurant.com/
I recommend the chicken tacos.

Huntington Beach is probably your best bet.

I've only been to Venice once and will never go back! Enough said

Have a great trip!

Robin's looks a little too reserved for me. I'm more of an Irish Pub/ Brewhouse kind of guy (Also known to slam down some Margaurita's & Long Island Iced Teas). Also a steak & seafood person. I almost stayed in Cambria but ended up getting a place in San Simeon.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by 90503

I'd have to agree that the travel times are pretty optimistic!...lol...Especially days 11-14...Personally, I would add at least 40-50% more for driving...

Frisco to San Simeon...You're gonna want to make a lot of stops, its beautiful scenery..

San Simeon to Beverly Hills on a Friday, probably the worst of them all...

Saturday, Beverly Hills to airport...1:51 departure,...I'd leave the hotel by 9:00 am...

You'll get a good sense of things if yoiu're using Indio as a base, and come into LA at all during that time...

Your arrival date at LAX, then drive to Indio will be an eye-opener. You'll do fine, just figure on all your driving times taking a lot longer.

I planned on leaving San Simeon on the early side to get to Beverly Hills asap. Do you really think I'd have to leave Beverly Hills by 9am to catch a 1:51 pm flight home (And drop off rental car)? I also have to add wheelchair assistance into the plan.

All of you replyers have been most helpful. I'll certainly let everyone know how the trip goes when I get back. Man, there is a lot of stuff to do out there!!

I was looking in to the House of Blues to possibly see Collective Soul, but it is Gen Adm and a 18+ show.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Palm Springs area never really has any traffic issues... it's not hugely populated, mostly retirees out there with no 9 to 5 related traffic patterns.

However, 50 east of there, Redlands/ San Bernardino... and EVERYTHING west of there, traffic issues are the norm. From 5AM until around 10AM, and from 3PM until 7PM, you will want to avoid any roads that start with: "Interstate," "Highway," "Route," or "The!" Sometimes---SOMETIMES--- you'll sail through, but if you have more than 20 miles to go at any of the heavy traffic times, you are positively guaranteed to be stuck sitting in traffic, usually thanks to the one yahoo (out of thousands, to be optimistic!) who's driving is so bad that he piles his car up and puts a clog in the artery.

Cool. I don't move that quickly until after 10am anyway!! Guess I'll play Rockstar by staying up late and sleeping in (Where possible).

[90503]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

I planned on leaving San Simeon on the early side to get to Beverly Hills asap. Do you really think I'd have to leave Beverly Hills by 9am to catch a 1:51 pm flight home (And drop off rental car)? I also have to add wheelchair assistance into the plan.

The route from Beverly Hills, even though its 11 miles on the map and on a Saturday, is probably still one of the most heavily traveled areas there is.
The longer you wait on a weekend, the heavier traffic gets. Not much of a flier, but pretty sure domestic flights want you ready to go one hour before departure. Airport is busiest in summer months, you've got your rental to do and all the rest...way better to get there early than try and cut it close and stress out. It doesn't take much for traffic to slow to a crawl.

Just a thought, you could drive that route in reverse when you first fly in, and see for yourself.

[slicktempo]

Venice is a nice place, but it can also get crowded at times.